Contract Specialist

Kaiva Corp•Rockville, MD

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Kaiva Tech, LLC is seeking a Contract Specialist to support the full acquisition lifecycle for federal procurement activities in Rockville, Maryland. The role ensures compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and agency-specific acquisition regulations. Depending on experience, the specialist may independently lead complex acquisitions, support negotiations, and mentor junior staff to promote consistent, compliant contracting practices. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, and is classified as salary, exempt. The employee works 100% onsite and reports to the Kaiva Program Manager. An active Public Trust or security clearance is required; Secret clearance is preferred. The Contract Specialist develops and coordinates acquisition documentation, conducts market research and cost/price analyses, supports or leads review processes, and prepares negotiation and award materials. The role also includes post-award administration, procurement record maintenance in federal systems, coordination with internal stakeholders, and managing concurrent procurements under strict deadlines. Junior and mid-level candidates are considered, with different experience, education, and certification expectations by level. The work involves meetings, digital document management, and coordination across distributed teams. Occasional travel may be requested by government onsite leadership but is not expected. The employee must operate standard office equipment, work at a computer for extended periods, and communicate effectively in a virtual environment. Reasonable accommodations will be made as required by the ADA.

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), applicable acquisition laws, and federal procurement policies.
Knowledge of federal acquisition methods and techniques, including competitive and non-competitive procurements.
Experience using PRISM or comparable federal contract writing systems.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Ability to navigate and manage documentation within SharePoint environments.
Strong interpersonal skills and excellent oral and written communication abilities.
Ability to prepare, analyze, and present acquisition data and reports.
Ability to coordinate efforts across multiple offices and stakeholders.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
Completion of DAWIA or FAC-C coursework.
A bachelor's degree in any field, or at least 24 semester hours meeting OPM 1102 Contracting Series classification and qualification standards.
An active Public Trust clearance or security clearance.
For junior level: bachelor's degree in Business, Acquisition, Finance, or a related field; 3–5 years of experience in federal contracting or procurement support; and experience preparing solicitations, performing cost/price analysis, and managing post-award activities.
For mid level: bachelor's degree in Business, Public Administration, or a related field; 5–9 years of experience in federal acquisition management, including leading complex procurements; demonstrated expertise in acquisition strategy, policy interpretation, and contract administration; and FAC-C (Professional), DAWIA Level II, or equivalent certification.

Nice To Haves

Secret clearance preferred.
FAC-C (Professional) or DAWIA Level II certification for junior-level candidates.
FAC-C (Professional) or DAWIA Level II/III equivalent, depending on level.
Experience with award fee planning, evaluation, and administration.

Responsibilities

Develop, review, and coordinate acquisition documentation, including Statements of Work (SOW), Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCE), Justifications and Approvals (J&A), Acquisition Plans (AP), and complete acquisition packages.
Track acquisition package progress and communicate status with the program office throughout the procurement lifecycle.
Conduct and document market research to support acquisition strategy development and competition determinations.
Perform cost and price analyses, including support for cost-reimbursement contracts.
Prepare negotiation memoranda, award recommendations, and contract award documentation.
Support or lead Contract Review Board (CRB) processes and ensure the integrity of contract files.
Oversee post-award contract administration, including modifications, reporting, performance monitoring, and closeout.
Maintain accurate and complete acquisition records in PRISM, FPDS, and other federal procurement systems.
Coordinate with program, legal, finance, and policy offices to resolve acquisition issues.
Manage and prioritize multiple concurrent procurements under strict deadlines.
Prepare and present acquisition information through clear, well-organized written reports.
Complete required training, certifications, timesheets, and compliance reporting.
Depending on experience, lead complex acquisitions, support negotiation efforts, and mentor junior staff.